It’s been a while since a Best Dressed post was written, and I sure am glad the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards 2016 were on last night (November 2), held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. This year marked the awards’ 50th year celebrating country music artists and broadcasters that recognizes their outstanding achievements in the American country music industry. Another star-studded red carpet, with gorgeous gowns and very dapper gents, this was one fabulous turn out in the run up to the awards season. So read on to find out who has made this year’s CMAs Killer Fashion Best Dressed list!
The Best Dressed
Hayley Orrantia is a newbie in my fashion books, and hot damn did she steal my attention. She was easily the best dressed person attending the CMA Awards, as she floated down the red carpet in this Hayley Paige mint gown, with its ruffle tiered tulle skirt and plunging-v bodice, adorned with sequined floral motifs. Her dark red matte ombré lipstick, the bronze smokey eye, the exaggerated lashes, the side bun and delicate jewels – this look really says it all. Just wow!
Co-hosting the show, Carrie Underwood stepped it up a level as she walked the red carpet. She donned a sleeveless nude hue gown with a v-neckline, covered in sequins and beads with a ballgown skirt and train finish that sure was an entrance-worthy look. Her first look of the night was very girly and princess-like, and I love the addition of the silver chandelier drop earrings, pavé rings and the curled hairstyle with the smokey eyes, exaggerated lashes and nude lip. Gorgeous as always.
RaeLynn never misses the country awards, and I love her for it because she gives good fashion. It’s rare that three beauties make the best dressed section but this one’s a goodie. The porcelain-skinned singer wore a silver & ice grey gown by Paolo Sebastian that featured an embroidered panel bodice with a dreamy chiffon skirt. The look was absolutely bang-on, with dark smokey eyes, a pink nude lip and a relaxed hairstyle, which she styled with heels by Stuart Weitzman and extra sparkles from Effy Jewelry and Arzano. I really love this look, serious kudos to her and her team!
Pretty in Pink
Nicole Kidman is always in attendance for country music awards, and the CMAs was just another where she looked beautiful. Alongside her country star husband Keith Urban, the blonde beauty looked very pretty in pink donning Gucci. The billowed long sleeves were worn on the wlbow, with the bodice featuring a red panel & collar adorned by tulle, silver & amethyst bow details and a dark pink velvet waistband. The dress was styled with same-designer clutch, shoes by Christian Louboutin, jewels from Fred Leighton and an Omega watch. Curled sideswept hair, soft smokey eyes and a soft pink lip to compliment, this was one winning look for the Australian actress.
Donning a dark pink gown, singer Kelsea Ballerini attended wearing Michael Costello. The rose-printed dress featured red and purple hints too, with a v-neckline that she accessorized with heels and a clutch by Marchesa, and a selection of jewellery from Bright Society, Onirikka, Dana Rebecca Designs and Effy. A vampy lip colour with a chic ponytail completed her look.
Danielle Bradbery wore a dark pink gown created by Leanne Marshall. Her CMAs choice was rather risqué, with its wide-cut neckline, gathered & ruched material across the bust and the thigh-high leg slit. The skirt trialed down into trains, that complimented the Schutz caged sandals. Adding Lana Jewelry, the young singer rounded up with soft smokey eyes, a brown nude lip colour and a chic ponytail with side bangs.
Black Beauties
Kaitlyn Bristowe showed off some midriff, as she attended the awards in this black two-piece gown. The eyelash lace & sheer crop top featured a high neck and capped lace sleeves that matched the black high-waisted skirt with deep pleats. Determined to make a mark, she added flawless smokey eyes, pink lipstick and an upstyle to finish.
Actress Jennifer Garner was a nice surprise for this red carpet, as she attended wearing a strapless column gown by Jenny Packham. The brunette teamed her metallic-accented bodice with a selection of gold & silver jewellery, tousled hair and pink lips to finish.
Also attending in black, singer Miranda Lambert wore a sultry LBD that featured a wide-v cut eyelash appliqué bodice, with a waterfall-cut skirt. The chiffon look was teamed with black & silver strappy heels, an array of sparkling silver jewels, a voluminous ponytail and dark angular smokey eyes to finish with a nude lip.
Jessie James Decker looked wondrous in her black sequin dress, with its fishtail skirt and the subtle cut outs on the sides. The square neckline and fitted finish was very complimentary of the singer’s body shape, creating a stunning silhouette on the red carpet. Her long tresses were styled into wavy locks with shimmer-lined eyes and exaggerated lashes, with a sparkling clutch and delicate jewels to finish.
Simplicity is sometimes key, and Sharon Stone definitely got that memo as she looked timeless in this wide-v cut glittering gown. The ruched detail below the bust, the slinky silhouette, the cascading of the sequin beads, this is such a winning look by the singer. With a wavy pixie cut, smokey eyes and pink lipstick, she rounded up the look with silver chandelier earrings and a black embellished clutch.
Prints & Patterns
Stepping out in floral, Lauren Alaina attended wearing a waterfall sleeveless look from Monique Lhuillier. The artsy dress fitted the young singer beautifully, and was styled with sandals by Topshop, a Fiona Kotur clutch and jewellery from Alexis Bittar & Kasané Jewellery. Adding a deep pink lipstick to her look, she finished with soft smokey eyes, spidery lashes and windswept hair.
Opting for crochet lace and detailed embroidery, actress Wendi McLendon-Covey attended wearing this strapless number by Jovani. The mix of pink, white and black was such a fun combination with the floral and netted details, that she styled with a rose gold long clutch, a selection of jewellery and soft curled hair.
Jennifer Nettles wore quite the fashionable look for the awards, as she stepped out wearing J. Mendel. The one-capped shoulder look featured a high neck sheer upper bodice with sequin embroidery in colours of red, blue & silver, that ran into the scarlet red fitted skirt, complete with a thigh-high leg slit that showcased her metallic blue strappy sandals. Silver jewellery, an upstyle and nude lips with lined eyes completed her look.
Metallic Madness
Meghan Linsey sure brought her fashion game to the red carpet, as she attended wearing this sleeveless fully sequined gown by Jonathan Kayne. Dripping in sparkles, the helterneck dress featured rose gold sequins in a chevron pattern with lines of white silver square gemstones, creating a gorgeous curvy silhoutte on the country singer. Smokey eyes, strong brows, and a pink lipstick completed her look.
Maren Morris also opted for a sequined look, as she looked gorgeous donning this mermaid gown by Michael Costello. Her sheer black sleeveless look featured lines of bronze, silver & black sequins throughout, in a flame-like pattern with subtle fringe around the waist. This was such a statement look, and I’m delighted the country singer opted for simplistic tight curls, black eyeliner and nude lips with a white manicure, adding Saint Laurent heels and jewellery from Alexis Bittar and Brooke Worthington Jewelry. Maren Morris also won the CMA Awards for New Artist of the Year!
Though Carrie Underwood looked gorgeous on the red carpet, she worked the stage just as well during her hosting role alongside fellow country star Brad Paisley. Typical of any awards host/hostess, Carrie changed numerous times channeling a decade of fashion, though most of them were sequin or glitter-clad, and very Carrie Underwood. Here are my favourite five looks.
A Splash of Colour
Attending in support of her husband hosting, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley looked stunning in her teal green strapless dress. Designed by Rubin Singer, the brunette’s look featured embossed, textured panels as well as pure silk panels, that intertwined around the bodice with a fitted finish and leg slit that showed off her classy silver brooch pumps. The shoes easily complimented the dripping-in-diamonds silver necklace, rounded up beautifully by her dark eye makeup and soft pink lips.
Not everyone may be a fan of this look, but Kacey Musgraves pulled off this lilac Christian Siriano triple-tiered tulle gown. The strapless look was accented by a black waistband, dark smokey eyes and a deep purple lipstick with a classy ponytail. In a way, it reminds me of Rihanna at the Grammy Awards 2015, but much better!
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman looked beautiful in her sheer & nude pink gown by Hayley Paige, which featured a sparkling overlay with full sleeves on top of a bodysuit. Tousled sideswept curls, delicate silver jewels by Suzanne Kalan Jewelry and a gemstone-adorned Judith Leiber clutch rounded up the tall brunette’s gorgeous look.
The Couples
Menswear
Notable Mentions
Click to see all the winners of the CMA Awards 2016
Nirina xx
Images courtesy of Zimbio
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